8 - The Women of Jerusalem Mourn for Jesus

Even at a time like this, Jesus can spare a thought for those around Him.  The women mourn for Him but He rebuts their wailing, and urges them to mourn for themselves and their children.

It's hard to fathom, but Jesus is doing what His Father in heaven wants.  And that is to give Himself out of love for the salvation of His people.  But He knows that suffering will come to them too.

The Bible teaches us that suffering came into the world as a result of sin.  Jesus knows all too well the sin that is in the world and surrounds us.  So His urging is two-fold.  He urges the women both to weep for sinners (including themselves) and for the consequences of sin that abounds.  But His urging is not ultimately for despair, but for repentance and conversion.  He points to the fact that tears can be a catalyst to conversion and express prayer.